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Definition of precocious - 9 dictionary results
pre⋅co⋅cious
[pri-koh-shuh
s] 
–adjective
| 1. | unusually advanced or mature in development, esp. mental development: a precocious child. |
| 2. | prematurely developed, as the mind, faculties, etc. |
| 3. | of or pertaining to premature development. |
| 4. | Botany.
|
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Link To precocious
| pre·co·cious (prĭ-kō'shəs) adj.
[From Latin praecox, praecoc-, premature, from praecoquere, to boil before, ripen early : prae-, pre- + coquere, to cook, ripen; see pekw- in Indo-European roots.] pre·co'cious·ly adv., pre·coc'ity (-kŏs'ĭ-tē), pre·co'cious·ness n. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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| Main Entry: | precocious1 |
| Part of Speech: | adj |
| Definition: | pertaining to uncharacteristically early development, esp. in maturity |
| Etymology: | Latin prae- + coquere 'to cook' |
| Main Entry: | precocious2 |
| Part of Speech: | adj |
| Definition: | appearing early, as flowers; early in development |
| Etymology: | Latin prae- + coquere 'to cook' |
Precocious
Pre*co"cious\, a. [L. praecox, -ocis, and praecoquus, fr. praecoquere to cook or ripen beforehand; prae before + coquere to cook. See 3d Cook, and cf. Apricot.]1. Ripe or mature before the proper or natural time; early or prematurely ripe or developed; as, precocious trees. [R.] --Sir T. Browne. 2. Developed more than is natural or usual at a given age; exceeding what is to be expected of one's years; too forward; -- used especially of mental forwardness; as, a precocious child; precocious talents.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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precocious
1650, "developed before the usual time," from L. præcox (gen. præcocis) "maturing early," from præ- "before" + coquere "to ripen," lit. "to cook" (see cook (n.)). Originally of flowers or fruits. Fig. use, of persons, dates from 1678.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Main Entry: pre·co·cious
Pronunciation: pri-'kO-sh&s
Function: adjective
1 : exceptionally early in development or occurrence<precocious puberty>
2 : exhibiting mature qualities at an unusually early age —pre·co·cious·ly adverb —pre·co·cious·ness noun
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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precocious pre·co·cious (prĭ-kō'shəs)
adj.
Showing unusually early development or maturity.
pre·coc'ity (-kŏs'ĭ-tē) or pre·co'cious·ness n.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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| precocious (prĭ-kō'shəs) Pronunciation Key
Relating to or having flowers that blossom before the leaves emerge. Some species of magnolias are precocious. |
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2009, Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
